I have a 2010 F150 5.4L, 3.55 rear end 4x4 crew cab. Hauled my old Sundowner 2H BP like a dream. I sold that trailer and replaced it with a 2H gooseneck with a side ramp. Empty weight of the trailer is 5140 lbs, tongue weight 1540. On a regular basis I haul one (moose size) WB and one TB. I'm concerned that I'm pushing the truck to its limits if not beyond. Should I upgrade to a 250 or a 350?
Posted 2011-03-16 4:08 AM (#131699 - in reply to #131680) Subject: RE: Truck upgrade?
Regular
Posts: 88
dmbarba,
If money is not the issue...I would upgrade to at least a F250. If I remember correctly your F150 is only rated at around 9,600. With the safety factor you should only be towing 7,680. You would be maxing out the trucks towing capacity. You might get away with an F150 with the max tow package(11,200) and 3.73 rear.
Posted 2011-03-16 7:06 AM (#131702 - in reply to #131680) Subject: RE: Truck upgrade?
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Richmond
Thanks for the feedback. I kinda suspected I would have to upgrade. I think I will keep my eyes open for a good late model used truck. Next question would be whether to go diesel or gas. Any thoughts?
Posted 2011-03-16 8:01 AM (#131704 - in reply to #131680) Subject: RE: Truck upgrade?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342 Location: Ohio
Will this truck serve as yor daily driver? How often will you tow with it? What kind of topography will you be towing across? Do you have a brand preference?
All these questions will be a good starting point to determine how much truck you'll need.
Diesel will get better fuel mileage in most cases, yield more torque for towing across mountains, cost more to maintain and diesel fuel costs more than regular 87. Also, your initial purchase price will be $3-5k more than the comparable truck with a gas engine.
Gas engines will get get less MPG's in most cases, yield less torque for hilly towing, but costs much less to maintain, less to buy, and less to fill at the pump.
I drive and love my Ford diesel, but I am a big fan of the Dodge Hemi. The Hemi in a 2500 series truck would be my recommendation. It gets decent fuel mileage and is a very capable engine.
Truck upgrade?
